Cooper Elementary in Clayton and North Johnston Middle school will operate more like charter schools next year, but will stay under county control. The program is designed for consistently low-performing schools as a way to avoid state takeover.

Over 19 years, former Clayton town manager Steve Biggs led the town back from near-bankruptcy to an era of prosperity, giving it a modern identity and a bright future. In April, he took his own life after being town manager of Christiansburg, Va., for 10 months, leaving two communities shocked and saddened by the loss.